Improvement in stays for hoops



B. L. SITTING. STAY FOR HOOPS.

No. 192,970. Patented. J'u1y 10,1877. V

WITNESSES filgggjg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN L. BITTING, OF RURAL HALL, NORTH CAROLINA.

IMPROVEMENT IN S TAYS FOR HOOPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 192,970, dated July 10, 1877 application filed June 14, 1877.

specification.

My invention relates to an improved stay or prop for hoops; and it consists in a strip of sheet metal having its lower end made sharp or pointed, so that it can be driven into the side of the cask, while the upper part is bent so as to form a prop or support for the hoop, so as to prevent it from falling oft the cask or vessel in case of shrinkage, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The accompanying drawings represent my invention. a

a represents astrip of sheet metal, the lower end of which is formed into one or more sharp points, 0, while the upper portion is bent as shown, so as to form a support or prop for the hoop d. The upper end of this strip a, is turned over so as to'grasp the upper edge of the hoop, while the lower edge of the hoop is supported upon the shoulder e. Before the hoops are tightened upon the bucket, barrel, or other vessel, these props are inserted between the barrel and the hoop, and then the hoop is forced intoposition. The points of the strip are then forced or pressed into the side of the vessel, so as to prevent the strip from slipping down again, and as long as this strip is held in position it is impossible for the hoop to move either backward or forward. In case I the vessel should shrink and the hoops become loose, the hoops, instead of dropping off, as they usually do, will be held'in position. In case it should be desired to tighten the hoops, the points will be loosened from the cask or vessel, and then the hoop and the prop forced upward to a suitable distance,'and then the points again driven into the sides, as before. y

By means of this device hoops can never come off of vessels of any kind, however much a vessel may shrink, or how loose the hoops may become, and the vessel will therefore always be kept from falling to pieces.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim- A metallic strip, (1, having one or more points on its lower end, a shoulder to support the hoop, and a turned-over edge at the top, the strip being adjustable upon the side of the .pail, all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of June, 1877. r I

v BENJAMIN LEWIS BITTINGM Witnesses:

'r. H. Bmr, E. D. KIGER. 

